The American Heart Association (AHA) 2006 update on heart disease reported that 5 million Americans are believed to have symptomatic heart failure (HF), and 550,000 patients are newly diagnosed each year. The estimated direct and indirect cost of HF in the United States (U.S.) for 2006 will be ~$29.6 billion. Heart failure is a disabling chronic disease and the most frequent discharge diagnosis for hospitalization among older adults. Despite the significant resources expended on the treatment of this disease, outcomes remain poor. The five-year survival for individuals diagnosed with heart failure is less than 50%, and in end-stage heart failure, the one-year survival may be as low as 25% regardless of medical therapy.